All you need to know about Nearsightedness (Myopia)

According to the Statista report (People with myopia and high myopia worldwide 2000-2030): It is estimated that in 2030 around 3.36 billion people worldwide will have myopia or nearsightedness. With so many people getting affected by Myopia, let’s understand what it is and how it can be treated! Nearsightedness (myopia or short-sightedness) is an eye condition where distant objects seem to look blurry while the nearby items are clearly visible.

What causes Myopia?

It is a refractive error in which your eye doesn’t blend or refract light properly, causing eye focusing disorder. Due to the shape of the eyes, light doesn’t bend properly, and the image focuses in front of the retina instead of on the retina. This process causes blurred vision.

Both genetic & environmental factors contribute to the risk of getting myopia. You have high chances of getting it if:

• You have a family history of myopia
• You spend excessive time indoors
• You work focusing on close objects or fine work

What are the symptoms of Myopia?

Along with the blurry vision of distant objects, a few symptoms of Nearsightedness (Myopia) include:

• Headaches due to eye strain
• Excessive blinking and persistent squinting
• Difficulty while driving, especially at night
• Eye fatigue while focusing on distant objects

Nearsightedness is a common condition that can be fixed with eyeglasses or contacts. However, severe nearsightedness can lead to retinal detachment, cataractsand glaucoma. In such cases, you might have to undergo eye surgery.

How to treat Myopia?

If you feel any symptoms of Myopia, you need to visit an eye doctor. It’s easier to treat Nearsightedness when it’s in the initial stage. However, if you ignore it, myopia can cause critical eye problems. The treatment depends on the degree of Nearsightedness.

• Outdoor Activity:

Increase the time spent outside in the natural light, as it slows down the progress of Myopia. Also, you need to monitor the time spent on digital devices. Excessive use is always harmful.

• Corrective Glasses or Contact Lens:

Myopia is usually treated with corrective lenses. The lens enables light to bend to the right point, which allows your eyes to focus properly and display a clear image.

• Atropine Eye Drops:

Atropine eye drops can slow down the progression of myopia. However, you still have to wear corrective glasses or lenses to treat it.

• Orthokeratology:

Orthokeratology uses gas-permeable contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea while you sleep, to reduce refractive myopia.

• Laser Eye Surgery:

In cases of severe Myopia, refractive surgery is suggested by eye specialists. There are various surgical methods to reshape the cornea in order to correct or adjust the eye focusing ability. In some refractive surgeries, a lens is implanted inside your eye, while in other cases, doctors use LASIK surgery (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis).

How Centre for Sight can help?

CFS has highly experienced eye care specialists who are skilled in conducting a clear diagnosis of refractive errors and suggest the best-suited treatment. Centre for Sight has FDA approved technology and offers advanced treatments like LASIK, Femto laser eye surgery (bladeless Lasik) and SMILE laser eye surgery for a complete range of refractive errors.

Article: All you need to know about Nearsightedness (Myopia)
Author: CFS Editorial Team   |   Jan 6 2021 | UPDATED 03:20 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.